The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) (Butchers' Shops) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations which extend only to Scotland further amend the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (“the general Regulations”) by introducing a requirement for the premises of butcher’s shops to be licensed by food authorities. Butcher’s shops for these purposes are fixed or moveable premises in which unwrapped raw meat is handled and from which both raw meat and ready to eat food are sold to consumers (See the definition of “butcher’s shop” in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1A).

Regulation 2 amends regulation 3 of the general Regulations so that the provisions relating to the licensing of butchers' shops do not apply to those businesses to which the sectorial provisions listed in that regulation apply.

Regulation 3 inserts the provisions set out in the Schedule as Schedule 1A which make provision for the licensing of butchers' shops. Paragraph 4 of the Schedule makes provision for applications for licences and provides that a charge of £100 is payable in respect of the issue of a licence. Paragraph 5 imposes licence conditions. Paragraph 6 provides that licences remain in force for periods of a year or until the proprietor ceases to be proprietor of the premises. Paragraph 7 has effect where a proprietor who holds a licence in respect of a butcher’s shop applies for a further licence in respect to his shop up to 4 months before the expiry of his existing licence. If the further licence is granted, it begins on the expiry of the existing licence so that the proprietor is not prejudiced by making an application before his existing licence expires. Paragraph 9 provides for the suspension and revocation of licences and permits the premises of established butcher shops to continue to be used subject to conditions where a licence has been refused or revoked.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 6(1) of the general Regulations so that using premises as a butcher’s shop otherwise thanin accordance with a licence is a criminal offence.

Regulation 5 contains transitional provisions so that licences may be issued before the first day on which they are required. Such licences remain in force for the period of one year beginning on that day.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment of these Regulations has been prepared and lodged with the Information Centre of the Scottish Parliament. Copies may be obtained from the Food Standards Agency, Sixth Floor, St Magnus House, 25 Guild Street, Aberdeen AB11 6NG.